Networking can be a fun and easy way to enrich your life, broaden your horizons, and enhance your career. But it can also be potentially devastating if you act rudely, insensitively, or ignore the needs and desires of others. Remember, crucial to your success is that you treat networking as an exchange of ideas, information, and experience. You are not selling or simply telling or “sponging” off others for your own benefit. Be generous in sharing your talents, experiences, and ideas, and always be respectful of those around you.

Contributed by Diane Mashia, patron member, Rochester Women’s Network, is president and lead consultant for Learning Out Loud, a professional development organization dedicated to performance improvement through active participation.

Networking "How to's"

Learning and practicing your networking skills will only help you in your job search and well into your career.

Start with a purpose. Define your objectives to know why you are at the networking function.
The name tag is worn on the right side to provide an easy
sight-line to your name when shaking hands.
Have an effective handshake. This may appear obvious, but you have probably been on the receiving end of at least one “bone-crusher” and one “limp fish.” Practice your handshake to avoid giving one of those yourself!
Be sure to introduce yourself!
Say your name clearly. “Hello, my name is Juanita Curtiz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Shake hands.
Use an “elevator” speech: describe who you are or what you do in 10 seconds or less.
When appropriate, offer a business card and ask the other person for one of his or hers. Sometimes, it is more appropriate to exchange business cards only when you depart from one another.
Once the event is over, your networking doesn’t stop! Be sure to follow up with those you’ve met, keep in contact, share information, and offer to help in any way you can.
Be sure to send a written acknowledgement or “thank-you” note to your networking contacts.